Note: Students cannot register themselves. Individual departments register eligible graduate students via an online registration system. The link is included under "Information for Department Contacts".
OEAI Test Cycle
- The OEAI is administered throughout each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer).
- First-time examinees are scheduled during the first half of the exam period. Re-tests are scheduled backwards from the end of the semester to allow for enough time to finish ESL course work or tutoring.
- Students should let their departments know any general scheduling preferences before being registered for the OEAI.
| Regular Testing Period | *General Registration Window | Interview Dates | Eligible Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Late Aug-Early Oct | Early October through December | All graduate students |
| Spring | Feb | Early March through May | All graduate students |
| Summer | Mid May to mid June | June through early August | All graduate students, including incoming fall graduate students.
|
* Specific registration window for each semester will be communicated via email to departmental liaisons. Please contact oeai-illinois@illinois.edu if you are not on our liaison contact list or are not sure about the registration period.
Emergency Tests
To best accommodate student and department needs, we offer emergency tests with limited spots. Please read the following information carefully for eligibility requirements of emergency testing.
* Emergency tests (Summer 1, January, and August) are reserved for students
- With TA appointments in the immediate upcoming semester, AND
- Who have missed the regular testing windows due to specific reasons (e.g., late enrollment or late TA offer).
* Emergency test spots are typically limited (25–30, depending on OEAI staff availability) and are intended to accommodate students with urgent needs. Department contacts must provide proof and a clear explanation of both the reason for missing the regular tests and the need for an emergency test, which will be reviewed to determine eligibility.
| Emergency Testing Period | *General Registration Window | Interview Dates | Additional Eligibility Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
January (Pre-Spring) | December | During pre-semester orientation week, before Graduate Academy | Limited to incoming graduate students considered for Spring TA appointments (first-time test-takers) |
May (Summer 1) | Late April to mid May | Late May | Limited to students who are considered for Summer 2 TA appointments, or currently enrolled graduate students considered for the upcoming Fall semester.
|
August (Pre-Fall) | Early July | One week prior to Graduate Academy | Limited to students who are being considered for Fall TA appointments. |
Information for Department Contacts
Please fill out OEAI registration form for department officials to register for your students.
- For Summer 1 registration, use this registration form - Summer 1 instead.
- Eligibility for Summer 1 Tests:
- Students who need immediate TAship in Summer 2, or
- Students who need TAship in Fall 2025 AND are currently enrolled in their graduate program (eligible for ESL summer courses)
- If the student is not eligible for Summer 1 testing, please wait until Summer 2 registration is open (May 16).
- Eligibility for Summer 1 Tests:
Information needed for test registration:
- TAship: When (which semester) is the student expected to start their TAship
- Test scheduling preferences if any, including any dates/times that are unavailable and/or preferred time periods.
- Student’s full name, birthdate, UIUC email address (if not activated, enter a personal email), UIN, NetID.
- The language that the student lists on his/her graduate application form as “first,” “primary,” or “native” language (the language that they first learned and continue to speak at home) and home country.
- Hiring department (and specialization if needed for selecting terms).
- Student’s TOEFL iBT or IELTS speaking section score, if any, and the date of said test.
- The number of previous OEAI/EPI attempts.
- The date and score of the most current OEAI/EPI test.
- For retakers,
- The ESL course number that the student completed or is currently enrolled in (ESL 504, 506, or 510) or,
- The name of the approved OEAI tutor, if the student elected tutoring.
Note:
- If the student has important events during the testing window registered for, such as a midterm exam, traveling plan, or if there is an important time difference to consider, please make sure to specify them in the registration form
- If the student needs rescheduling, it is the department liaison’s responsibility to communicate this with the OEAI and provide proof of the need for rescheduling at least one week before the scheduled time. We do NOT accept excuses including conflicts with classes, labs, meetings, etc.
- Although we try to accommodate general preferences if specified in the form, no specific time slots can be guaranteed.
Scheduling
Scheduling is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The OEAI testing office will send the student's schedule to both the department contact and the student via email. The student is required to respond to this email within 48 hours to confirm their interview date and time. Additionally, two automated email reminders will be sent to students: one at one week and another at 1-2 business days prior to their exam time.
Scheduled OEAI examinees should be advised that the OEAI is a Provost-approved absence and instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for a student who is scheduled to take the OEAI. Examinees are responsible for contacting their instructors regarding the absence or tardiness or any missed work.
Due to the number of students that are interviewed each semester and the availability of our interview team, we cannot accommodate the individual schedules of each prospective TA. However, we do take general student preferences (AM vs PM, which part of a month, etc.) into consideration if specified in the registration form. It's the students' responsibility to communicate with their department about any unavailability during the testing period before registration. It's important to note that specific time slots cannot be guaranteed.
Requests for rescheduling must be initiated by the department via email, and the email should include comprehensive information explaining the reasons for the rescheduling request.
Lateness, No-Shows, and Cancellations Policies
Examinees should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled interview. Students should allow ample time to set up their Zoom account and join the meeting. We reserve the right to not interview applicants who arrive late to their interview.
Cancellations or requests to reschedule an OEAI must come from the department. The hiring department should inform the OEAI office at least 1 week prior to the scheduled interview time, so the interview time can be offered to another student.
In the case of an emergency, the hiring department should notify the OEAI office as soon as possible. Once the scheduled OEAI is cancelled, we cannot guarantee that it can be rescheduled during the same semester.
Students who do not show up for their scheduled interview time and have not had their department cancel the interview at least 2 business days in advance will have that no-show counted as one of their 3 attempts.
Information for Students/Test-Takers
The OEAI is administered online via Zoom. Please use a computer to take the interview.
To complete your OEAI, you must have the following:
- Stable internet connection (minimum of 2 mbps for upload and download)
- Webcam or build-in camera
- Speakers, ear buds, or headphones
- Microphone (volume set in the 50% to 75% range)
- A quiet and private location to take the exam (the interviewer will check your test environment in the beginning)
- An official ID which includes your photo and name in Latin Alphabet script. Acceptable photo IDs are: Passport, driver's license, and I-card. Note that only physical IDs are accepted. Digital IDs cannot be used for the OEAI.
- More detailed instructions for accessing the online interview will be sent to each examinee one week in advance of the interview.